Sunday, December 26, 2010

Days After Promising to Focus on the Economy, Obama Now Plans to Get Out of Washington More

President Obama will spend more time outside of Washington, D.C., next year engaging with he public, according to a top White House adviser and close friend of the president.

One year before Obama faces reelection, he is expected to make a greater effort to connect with potential voters after facing charges being too aloof during his first two years in the Oval Office. The president's "biggest regret" was that because of economic turmoil, "He had to spend almost every waking hour in Washington working on solving that crisis," senior adviser Valerie Jarrett said during an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. "And what he missed sorely was engagement with the American people.

He spent every waking hour dealing with the economy?

Huh? I thought he just pledged a "singular focus" on the economy after ignoring it for two years?

"He said right before he left for vacation was, 'When I get back, I really want to figure out a way where I can spend more time outside of Washington listening, learning and engaging with the American people,'" she added. "We're determined in the new year to make sure that his schedule reflects his priority."

Political observers have said that Obama must make a greater effort to connect with voters on a personal level the way he did during the 2008 campaign if he wants to be reelected in 2012.

So, what is it? Focusing on the economy or two years of schmoozing and campaigning?